SCI

How To Apply

Application Deadline: January 31st

The Applied Physics Graduate Program application deadline for the Ph.D. program is January 31st. Applicants can begin applying as early as September 1st. You should begin as early as possible. Late applications will not be accepted. Students applying for admission to our Ph.D. program are asked to submit the following:

1. A completed application form

2. Application fee

The application fee is $85.00. The fee can be paid by credit card only. The application can be processed only when the application fee has been received. Applicants with financial needs may be eligible for fee waivers; please see the list below.

FEE WAIVERS

University-paid application fee waivers include:

IRT (Institute for Recruitment of Teachers)

McNair Scholar Program

Nankai University Hundred Young Teachers Program

Project 1000

VEF (Vietnam Education Foundation)

3. Official transcript

Transcripts of grades from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended.

For reviewing purposes, electronic copies of transcripts from each college or university you have attended can be uploaded through the online application system to meet the application requirements. If you are offered admission to Rice, official copies of the transcripts will be required and can either be sent directly to the Applied Physics Graduate Program from the institution or sealed by the institution in a signed envelope.

4. GRE/TOEFL

Rice University requires all applicants to provide GRE (Graduate Record Examination) General Test scores. The GRE Physics subject test is not required to apply; however, please include your score in your application if you have taken it. The scores must not be more than five years old, and an official copy must be sent to Rice University directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Personal copies are not acceptable.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of any student whose native language is not English. Your score must not be more than two years old and an official copy must be sent to the Graduate School directly from ETS. Students must score at least 90 on the iBT (internet-based) TOEFL, at least 600 on the paper-based TOEFL or score at least 250 on the computer-based TOEFL. For students who choose to take the IELTS in lieu of TOEFL, the minimum score is 7.

The TOEFL and the IELTS may be waived for an international student who received a degree from a university in which English is the official language of communication. It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit proof for this waiver.

The Institution code for the GRE is 6609, and the Department code is 5101 for Applied Physics (Interdisciplinary Studies).

The Institution code for the TOEFL is 6609, and the Department code is 60 for Applied Physics (Other Physical Sciences).

Make sure you're applying to Applied Physics and not Physics and Astronomy. Otherwise, your online form will route to the incorrect area and your scores may not be received. NOTE: you cannot search by code, only by Department title.

5. Letters of recommendation

Four letters of recommendation are requested and the online reference forms are required. These letters should normally be written by faculty who are familiar with your work and can address your potential for success in graduate school.

We request applicants to submit four (4) letters if possible. We begin evaluation of the full application once three letters have been received. However, we cannot move forward on the application review with less than three letters. All letters of recommendation are due by February 15.